EDIT: Doh! Have only just realised now why the Jervis Centre was closed as I walked by it after leaving NM to catch her Luas. And Dossing Times has a good entry on the progress of the riots.
Went to see I, Keano in the Olympia today. Was very enjoyable.
Back in 2002 a civil war erupted in Ireland. On one side those who believed Roy Keane was right to insist on perfection. On the other, those who though Mick McCarthy and the team should stick together. Out of the drama came I, Keano a comedy musical play by men responsible for Gift Grub[1] and Father Ted. The writers; Arthur Matthews, Mario Rosenstock and Michael Nugent have transplanted the action back to Ancient Rome, with General Macarticus as he prepares his team for upcoming battle. Among the soldiers are Quinnus[2] and of course, the greatest warrior of them all, Keano. This run is, I think, its third in the Olympia, and today was the last showing before it heads off to the UK[3]
It was really good. Myself and NM were laughing the whole way through. The actor[4] playing Keano was fantastic, barely contained rage simmering all the time. And his scenes with the “great hair-dryer god” Fergie were fantastic. He did almost break character and piss himself laughing at one stage, but that just made it better.
I’m not sure if some of the jokes will work outside Ireland. Quinnus’ wife Surfia gets her name from the Surf adverts she has made. Still, I’m sure that most will work fine.
If you get the chance I’d say go along.
And then I got home to find out that I’d missed the riots. Yes, riots. There was supposed to have been a Love Ulster parade down O’Connell St. today. They are a loyalist/unionist group[5] who want to promote unionism blah blah NI politics. Anyways, certain individuals decided to cause a bit of trouble. Republicans[6] thought they’d stop the parade and, according to RTE, began attacking the gardaí, photgraphers and journalists. Poor old Charlie Bird was even hospitalised[7]
Businesses along the route were forced to shut as gardaà and members of the Garda Riot Squad forced the protesters down O’Connell Street.
Further skirmishes broke out at O’Connell Bridge, Aston Quay, Fleet Street and Temple Bar.
The most serious violence was in the Nassau Street area. Three cars were burnt out, windscreens were smashed and businesses had their windows broken
Glad I didn’t pop along for a gawk amn’t I?
But if one good thing comes from this, hopefully it’ll help persuade people that Sinn Féin and their supporters aren’t really interested in peace and democracy. The Community at Large has a collection of links in this post
Oh, and congrats to Scotland who defeated England in the rugby. Now no one can win the Grand Slam, but the Six Nations is now wide open. Hopefully it’ll be a good match tomorrow and we’ll defeat Wales.
- a skit radio segment ↩
- fresh from constructing yet another children’s hospital ↩
- In Manchester ↩
- originally played by Mario Rosenstock, but he has returned to Gift Grub ↩
- Love Ulster ↩
- though what sort of republic can you have with democracy? ↩
- he has since been released ↩
Ha! Just back from Murrayfield. Guess how drunk I'm going to get tonight. Two weeks and it's your turn. Are ye scared yet?
I'm so happy for Scotland…!
Not at all Alan. After all, you'll be away :) (fingers crossed).
I am kinda worried bout tomorrow though. Wales might be all fired up cause of their troubles at the moment.
Anne, not happy for France defeating Italy? I didn't see that match (I, Keano) but I heard it was closer than the score indicated.
"But if one good thing comes from this, hopefully it’ll help persuade people that Sinn Féin and their supporters aren’t really interested in peace and democracy."
THATS THE MOST MORONIC STATEMENT IVE SEEN ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING. The people doing these things are scumbags with no fucking political aspirations at all. By engaging in this sort of violent behaviour you imediately cut yourself off from any political affiliation. Say something sensible in your blog for fucks sake.
I, too, was oblivious to the Troubles in town yesterday, until I saw it plastered all over Sky News last night. And to think we moved to Dublin to get away from the violence – South Africa is starting to look good again!
;-)
Good luck with the Rugby today!
Anti-moron, I think your statment makes your name a lie. Why does an act of violence mean you aren't affiliated with any political party? It doesn't. Those fucking around in Dublin were chanting "up the ra", were calling the gardaà the RUC and calling journalists orange bastards. I think they felt they had political aspirations.
Terri pretty unbelievable wasn't it?
Indeed. Great news on the rugby eh?
I must admit I tend to stay away from opinions on Irish politics – or rather, the whole area that was the focus of yesterday's debacle. I've been here almost 5 years and the one thing I've learnt is that it is still a very, very touchy subject here and everyone who has an opinion has a very strong and emotional one. I just feel a bit sad because in general the Irish people are a really good bunch and it's heartbreaking to see such a huge rift in a country like this.
That is all.
My soapbox is now safely tucked away again :-)
Terri, I don't think anyone really though things would get that bad yestersay. In today's paper a journalist reported hearing one of the Welsh rubgy fans asking was there filming going on at Trinity when he saw the rioting.
NI is one of those issues that just won't go away. Wonder what the security'll be like for the 1916 anniv. march
Oooh, Fence, you got flamed! How exciting for you. You're a moron!
I love the whole attempted disassociation thing. It's hilarious. Shinners involved in violence? Never. Shinners supporting violence? Never! I'm so glad I've never been deluded enough to give them a vote.
You know, I didn't even look out the Luas winda as it crossed O'Connell. I missed all the flaming riot police and everything. Mal was barricaded into the Spar on Westmoreland. Ah well, at least I have my memories of being in Paris during the football riots. Sigh.
I Keano was great craic! I saw it before but I still laughed the whole way through the second time!
Cathal is was great wasn't it? They should make a film out of it, and get all the lads from Gift Grub etc to do commentaries for the dvd, in character.